Why Does Weed Make You Hungry

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Hunger is one of the most well-known side effects of cannabis. In fact, cannabis has medical uses because it can stimulate your appetite and relieve nausea.

Continue reading to find out why cannabis gives you the so-called "munchies" and what you can do to manage this side effect.

What are the munchies?

The munchies refer to an increase in appetite that many people feel after consuming certain types of cannabis. It's such a well-known concept that movies and TV shows often show people becoming very hungry after smoking cannabis.

But it's not just a myth: Cannabis really does have the power to increase your appetite. Let's take a closer look at how it causes this effect.

How cannabis make you hungry

Cannabis actually affects your appetite in two different ways:

1. It can make food taste better, which makes you more likely to eat it.

2. And it can trick your brain into thinking you're hungry, even if you've recently eaten.

The active ingredients in cannabis (cannabinoids) bind to certain receptors in the body, including receptors on your tongue. When these receptors are activated, it enhances the way the brain responds to sweet-tasting food - and increases the desire for fatty foods. A clinical study showed that inhaled cannabis can also increase levels of hormones that make you hungry.

But not all cannabis products increase hunger. That's because not all cannabinoids activate the receptors that affect your appetite levels. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary cannabinoid that's known to increase appetite.

But THC is only 1 of more than 100 active chemicals found in cannabis. Animal studies show that another cannabinoid, called cannabigerol (CBG), may also stimulate appetite. This cannabinoid doesn't have the same intoxicating effect as THC. So it's of interest to researchers looking for a way to stimulate appetite without the high associated with THC.

How long do the munchies last?

It's difficult to say exactly how long you'll feel hungry after consuming cannabis. How much you consume and how you consume it play a key role in how long its effects will last.

Here are some common methods to consume cannabis along with how long the effects can last:

• Inhaling cannabis: With this method, cannabis reaches peak levels in the brain in 3 to 10 minutes. And the effects usually last around 2 to 3 hours.

• Eating or drinking cannabis: When you ingest cannabis, it can take up to 2 hours for it to reach peak levels in the brain. But the effects can last 6 to 8 hours - and sometimes even longer.

Keep in mind that people often respond to cannabis in different ways. So how and when you get the munchies - and how long they last for you - may follow a different pattern than described above.

Is there a way to consume cannabis without getting the munchies?

If you want to avoid feeling hungry from cannabis, the easiest thing to do is lower the amount of THC you're consuming. You can look for products labeled as a "microdose" of THC. Or you can look for ones that contain lower amounts of THC and higher amounts of other cannabinoids, like cannabidiol (CBD).

This is because some cannabinoids, like CBD, seem to actually reduce appetite. So consuming cannabis that contains both CBD and THC may help offset the increased appetite caused by THC.

The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) has also shown potential to reduce appetite in multiple animal studies. Some scientists believe THCV could help treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Choosing between indica, sativa, and hybrid plants

There are many different types of cannabis. These different varieties are often called strains - or varietals, which is more accurate - and have very different characteristics.

Many cannabis companies categorize the varietals as indica, sativa, or hybrid.

According to cannabis lore:

• Sativa plants are often associated with increased energy.

• Indica plants are associated with the munchies.

But these classifications aren't based on science. Instead of relying on these terms, it's better to look at what cannabinoids a plant contains.

As mentioned, more THC usually means a greater chance of the munchies. But if a plant contains cannabinoids that may reduce appetite, like CBD or THCV, it may not be as likely to make you hungry.

For example, Charlotte's Web is a popular varietal that has around a 30 to 1 ratio of CBD to THC. That means there's very little THC in this type of cannabis.

A varietal named Harlequin has a 2 to 1 ratio of CBD to THC. This means it contains more THC than Charlotte's Web - but less than many other popular cannabis varieties.

Medial benefits of increased appetite from cannabis

There are some possible medical benefits to an increased appetite from cannabis. Loss of appetite is a serious problem for people living with some medical conditions, like HIV. Medical cannabis has been widely used since the beginning of the HIV epidemic as a way to increase appetite for people living with the condition.

Cannabis may also help lessen nausea and stimulate appetite for people who're going through chemotherapy.

In fact, a prescription medication called dronabinol (Marinol) contains a synthetic (lab-made) form of THC. It's FDA-approved to increase appetite in people who have AIDS. It's also used to treat nausea caused by chemotherapy. In one clinical trial, patients taking Marinol reported almost a 40% increase in appetite. And it has performed as well as other medications for increasing appetite in other studies.

Cannabis may also be beneficial for people living with anorexia. That's because it may help them eat more while avoiding the anxiety and guilt caused by the condition. But study results are mixed.

While it's clear that feeling hungry may be helpful for medical reasons, it's also a good idea to know how to manage this effect (see below).

How do you manage the cannabis munchies?

There are a few simple things you can do if you're worried about the effects of cannabis on your appetite:

• Keep your home stocked with healthy snacks. Choose healthy sweet or high-fat foods like fresh fruit, raw veggies with hummus, and nuts and seeds. That way, if you do get a case of the munchies, you can reach for something healthy instead of junk food.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is always a good idea. And flavored water can help you satisfy cravings for something sweet without the calories.

• Lower your dose of THC. Limiting how much THC you consume will likely reduce how hungry you get. You can do this by consuming lower doses of THC or buying THC-free cannabis products. You can also try cannabis products that have lower amounts of THC and higher amounts of other cannabinoids, like CBD.

• Try a different variety of cannabis. Each variety of cannabis plant has a different balance of cannabinoids, and some may make you hungrier than others. Finding a product that doesn't increase hunger may take some trial and error. Consider speaking to a healthcare professional or a pharmacist trained in cannabis medicine for help.

Does weed make you gain weight

Lastly, there's some good news for people who're worried about gaining weight while consuming cannabis. Some studies show that, on average, cannabis users weigh less than people who don't use cannabis.

There's also some evidence that cannabis users have a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who don't consume cannabis.

Scientists are still actively debating why cannabis is associated with weighing less.

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